We’re going to have something like this at some point in the near future. Battery powered Daytona: 0-60 in 2s, top speed of a ton and a half with run distance of 300 miles and a quick recharge of 15 mins. Soon enough…
September 2, 2015
AC/DC
August 29, 2015
Cub Progress
Been a rainy day here in Chicago so I spend the better side of the day down in the basement workshop. TV was on with Josh Randall and Rowdy Yates keeping me company whilst I worked on the exhaust pipe and rocker cover oil line routing. It’s a tight fit with the oil ‘bag’ mounted a little proud to ensure the lower engine lubrication hoses don’t kink.
August 21, 2015
Details, details…
There’s nothing beats looking at the unique details a motorcycle attains over its lifetime. From the original parts, decals and paint to an ownership or two of patina and mile worn age. This BSA Royal Star is still crowned after fifty years of distance run.
A Triumph front wheel with alloy rim and lightened disc brake. Just what I’m going to do on mine. So it’s good to see what it’ll look like: fantastic.
RAF roundel on a Street Triple. Yellow outer ring denotes a type C1 used from ’42 – ’47 . The lighter yellow giving it better visibility on upper dark camouflage surfaces. Not the Mod icon but the Spitfires and Hurricanes of WW2.
Hmmm…
August 15, 2015
Chronograph Triumph
Some inventive model hobbyist has taken a box of old watch parts and reassembled them into a motorcycle. Well at least at idle the engine should tickover very well!
August 14, 2015
…the Far Side
One of my favorite cartoonists; Gary Larson who turned 65 today could catch a moment of mirth in the seemingly obscure details of the world.
August 9, 2015
Two of the Best
Enjoy the visual art that these two classic racing motors exude. The perfect balance of form & function with refinement to an engineering requirement achieved a purity in appearance. They both hold a special place in the history of motorcycles. The Norton International stamped its name on the gladiatorial stay circuit at the Isle of Man. The BSA Goldstar was the superbike of its day. If you wanted to be notices AND be at the front of the pack then this was your machine. DBD34
August 8, 2015
More Speed Vicar?
This Rickman framed Triumph stood out in proud orange at Ed’s shop. Next to it an immaculate pre-unit Bonneville. Both truly desirable bikes. But that repli-racer: it’s a stunner!
Ground-up concours restoration of an amaranth red Speed Twin. Sublime and worth gazing at for hours. Put it on a plinth and enjoy the artistry that was Meriden engineering at its best.
A hourglass figure as prepared on an X75 Hurricane. Craig Vetter inspired lines and color maje this much sought after machine a beauty to behold!
A Big Zed! Power in a Can… Just love this, one of the first giant slayer muscle bikes to come from the Far East. I’m going to have to build a bigger garage!
August 5, 2015
Put that in your pipe and smoke it!
New exhaust pipe arrived today. There will be some pipe bending needed still to get it around the oil tank and rear frame tube… These homebuilt trials machines all run into fitting snags…
Nevertheless we’re onto the home stretch I believe!
July 28, 2015
Wheels Real
Putting plans into action for the next Bonnie upgrade. The standard steel rims add a lot of unsparing weight to the bike and as was done in ‘the day’ I’m going to get hold of some hubs and lace ’em to alloy rims then shod the new lighter wheel with modern rubber.
July 27, 2015
Oiler
I’ve relocated the screw on oil filter to a more accessible position just above the gearbox. Piping runs smoothly and keeping the precious lubricant clean is an easier task.
July 22, 2015
Four Thou
Checking the valve rocker clearances: plugs out, first gear and turn engine over with kicker until left or right exhaust valve is just starting to close again then check clearance under the other tappet. Slip appropriate feeler in (or just rattle rocker to feel a very slight ‘tick-tack’). Adjust as necessary then recheck. Repeat for other side. Then repeat for intake valve tappets at two thou gap. Job done!
July 10, 2015
Some Assembly Required
Like a three dimensional jigsaw puzzle a collection of parts sits waiting for a spanner handed Triumph nut to cobble them together into its sum.
May 20, 2015
Oil
Liquid Engineering: gears, bearings, axles, bushings, pistons, pushrods, chains, sprockets, moving around, up, down, spinning. All to get the engine’s power to the wheel. Lubrication from oil and grease. Castrol was the fluid to use back in the day. Even for winners.
March 31, 2015
Clocks
Speedometer: miles per hour is the number we hinge our riding to. How fast we want to go, how fast can we go, how fast we are going. 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 The Ton.
March 20, 2015
Shades of Black
There’s a hidden gem in Austin TX for those who enjoy the finest vintage motorcycles. Harris Vincent Gallery (by appointment only). A restoration garage that specializes in those wonderful British twins. Immaculate Black Lightning, patina’d Rapide, several tarped projects, a Black Prince in the shadows… A bitsa called Guido that was kicked into life with the growl like a panther on the prowl. Run by one-time attorney Herb Harris with a very capable team of mechanics headed by chatty Tim; it’s overriding mission is to ensure Phil Vincent’s machines stay roadworthy.
It’s like being in the room with immortals. These will pass down time, in the guardianship of their owners. Hopefully ALL will be occasionally taken out for a fast spin along the road letting their hefty engines stretch their legs.
The Shadow is an appropriate subject with the partial solar eclipse that occurred over northern Europe earlier today…
geordiebiker.com 